A 17-year-old girl from Conneticut, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma but refused traditional treatment in the hopes she could cure the illness by natural means, has been placed in the State's custody.

Cassandra Fortin's desire to opt for alternative medicine was ignored and she was forced to undergo chemotherapy.

Cassandra had the support of her parents after she decided that she did not want to go down the chemotherapy route, with mum Jackie, saying: "She has always- even years ago- said that if she was diagnosed with cancer, she would not put poison into her body."

The decision was taken out of the teenager's hands, however, when her family was reported to the Department of Children and Families and accused of neglecting their daughter's medical needs.

As a result of this, Jackie's daughter had to be physically restrained to in order to administer the treatment.

Following this traumatic event, Cassandra was placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

The Forin's attorney has spoken out about the case, saying: "When you think about what freedom means, a big part of it means being able to say to the government, 'You can't tell me what to do with my own body'"

Cassandra, who is due to turn 18 in September of this year, will be legally entitled to refuse treatment after this date and any further decisions regarding her health and medical needs will be her own.

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